Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 10:32am

Banana Republic's much anticipated Mad Men Collection debuted yesterday, with amazing pieces like leopard print shoes, high-waisted skirts, cabled cardigans, lace dresses, and vintage print scarves. Guaranteed to sell out fast. With a collection like this, you really can't go wrong. Every piece is timeless and effortlessly chic. And you know it'll be true to the series, because the collection was designed in collaboration with the AMC hit's costume designer, Janie Bryant. I'm especially drawn to the menswear - with the pocket squares and beautifully tailored suits, it's as if I were on the actual Mad Men set. That, or I was transported back into the 60's (with a modern twist, of course).

Tuesday, August 2, 2011 @ 8:09am

I'm kind of obsessed with skinny ankle length jeans. And wedges. And the best part of it is both of these trends are EVERYWHERE. Literally, there are so many adorable wedges, ranging from a slight incline to extreme heights. Here's the thing about my obsessions, though - you can't really wear them together. In my opinion, at least. Pair skinny ankle length denim with flats or heels that are no more than 2" tall (I know, so short!). Wedges look amazing with summer dresses, like this drapey Joie dress.

Friday, July 22, 2011 @ 6:35am

In light of the two weddings I'm going to over the next two weeks...and the weddings I'll be going to in the fall, I thought it would be appropriate to post an entry all about weddings and wedding attire.

The best part about weddings is seeing the bride glide down the aisle looking breathtaking in her gorgeous gown. Some spend thousands of dollars, while others find bargains on chic wedding dresses. You can find gorgeous gowns at an affordable price. BCBG sells amazing gowns for under $500. The White by Vera Wang collection sold exclusively at David's Bridal, has absolutely stunning gowns that look like they should be part of Vera Wang's signature bridal collection. Marcella's La Boutique, a high-end boutique in downtown Seattle, has an amazing selection of gowns by top designers like Vera Wang and Monique Luhllier. You'll also want to stop by Cicada, a small boutique that specializes in custom gowns.

When my friend got engaged last Christmas, she researched gowns like crazy. While doing so, she stumbled on this wedding blog that is FULL of inspiration for brides-to-be.

As a guest, I've found it difficult to find a dress that is simple, elegant, and versatile for a variety of dress codes. These are the things I look for when shopping for a cocktail dress for a wedding:

1. Versatility. Again, something I can wear to a black-tie AND semi-formal event.
2. Simplicity. You don't want to overshadow the bride.
3. Elegance. Classic chic will always be in style.

Local boutiques like Sway & Cake, Horseshoe, Dolce Vita, and Pala Pala Dress Boutique all have a pretty good variety of dresses suitable for a wedding. J. Crew, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, BCBG, and Club Monaco are also great choices.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011 @ 9:21am

London-based jewelry designer Kali Arulpragasam, sister of musical artist M.I.A. and creator of the brand Super Fertile, has debuted a new collection of necklaces, body chains, headpieces, and oversized cocktail pieces that represent inhumanity and human suffering across the world.

Appropriately titled "Murder", her pieces are dark, bold, and can be perceived as somewhat offensive or graphic to some. Each piece mimics gunshot wounds, machete slices, blood stains, and violence in general. The beauty of this designer is her ability to create wearable art that attempts to raise political awareness and global strife.

The designer uses beautiful gems, like ruby and sapphire, and encases each gem in delicate, handcrafted gold settings.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011 @ 3:52pm

Does anyone else watch the Bachelor/Bachelorette like me? Better yet, does anyone lust after Emily Maynard’s style like I do?

Well, juuuust in case you do, and if you watched last night’s interview following the Bachelorette, you’re probably lusting after the outfit Emily wore. Her shoes? To die for. Her skirt? Amazing. And her necklace? I want it now!

Thursday, July 7, 2011 @ 7:35am

Kate Middleton, in my opinion, is fast becoming the Jackie O of style and class. Her effortlessly chic look makes jaws drop around the world, and there isn't a garment out there that would looks ill-fitting on her beautiful figure.

During Kate's North America tour, she donned some beautiful outfits created by London-based designers as well as some from this side of the pond. Just like the nude Reiss dress Kate wore to meet the Obamas, these pieces are sure to sell out fast. Her signature style has transformed from basic and comfy to elegant and chic. Her dresses are form-fitting, but not too tight, and she tends to favor three quarter length sleeves. And while most of her dresses are fairly modest, she never looks too stuffy or conservative. And she loves to pair affordable pieces with those made by high-end designers, like the J. Crew trousers with a Smythe blazer she wore while touring fire damaged parts of Slave Lake, Alberta.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011 @ 3:27pm

There's a new trend in town and it's hard to miss: Hyper-bright colors. We're talking cobalt blue, citron, bright orange, purple, and fuschia. You’ll find them splashed all over slacks, shorts, flowy tops, airy dresses, even sandals. I typically wear lots of neutral colors, like gray, white, nude and cream, but I'm loving this trend. DVF has an amazing plum dress that would look great with a bright yellow pendant or a floppy beach hat.

Here's the key to wearing this trend: You need to pair your item with something that's in its complementary color. For instance, if you're eyeing an electric blue dress, an orange cardigan would be great with it. Likewise, if you spot a pair of bright yellow shorts, pair them with a vibrant purple top. And don't, I mean…DON'T…dress all in one color unless it’s a simple piece, like a dress. Hot pink pants with a hot pink top equals one hot mess.

And if wearing multiple bright pieces sounds intimidating, take baby steps by pairing one bright piece with a neutral one, like fiery red slacks with a cream blouse.

Saturday, July 2, 2011 @ 7:48pm

So, I'm pretty much obsessed with the Anniversary Sale at Nordstrom. It's almost like a holiday for me. In fact, when I was in San Francisco last summer with some girlfriends, I still made time to go to the sale. It's that good!

So when I got my notification via e-mail that I had secret access to the Anniversary Sale inventory, I got super excited, of course. And for good reason! This year, Nordstrom has a TON of amazing accessories and handbags. Plus, there are great deals on makeup and fragrance sets. If you have a Nordstrom card, you also get double points between July 5-13. There are some pretty adorable sweaters and shoes, too. Here's a sneak peek of some of my favorites below (and be sure to go to the sale on July 5!):

Clothes (including jackets)

Shoes

Accessories

Handbags

What wasn't on sale were these nude Jimmy Choo platform pumps I've been eyeing for months. So, of course, I splurged on them today. Oops.